championship week preview – 5-11 november

Round 17 of the 2018/19 EFL Championship begins on Friday night with a potential thriller between Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday at Bramall Lane.

The ‘Steel City Derby’ - which will kick-off at 21h45 CAT and be broadcast live on Fox Sports 1 – is set to be the 130th competitive meeting of the teams in a rivalry which dates back to 1890.

While the Blades have emerged as potential title winners in the Championship this season, the Owls have struggled to find consistency and will come into the match as the clear underdogs. However, Jos Luhukay’s team will hope the old adage that form means nothing in a derby proves true on Friday night.

A busy Saturday will see a further two matches broadcast live on Fox Sports 1, starting with the 17h00 CAT kick-off between Reading and Ipswich Town. The Royals have a strong African influence in their team and will look to the likes of Andy Yiadom, Sone Aluko, Yakou Meite and Modou Barrow as they take on the Tractor Boys.

The weekend’s action wraps up with the 19h30 CAT kick-off between West Bromwich Albion and Leeds United at the Hawthorns. Both the Baggies and United have strong promotion ambitions and their battle for the three points on offer is set to be one of the best matches of the weekend.

The EFL Championship will then head into a two-week recess during the international window and return with matches on the weekend of 23-25 November.